NFL: Eagles' turnover epidemic takes turn for the worse

The Eagles coughed the ball up five times Thursday, leading to 31 Bengals points and a stunning 34-13 defeat that emptied the Linc early.

“For three-plus quarters there, well, for three quarters I thought we played good football,” Reid said. “Then we went turnover, turnover, turnover with the interception for a touchdown, fumble for a touchdown, another fumble and a field goal for that, and a muffed kickoff and they end up scoring a touchdown.

“It’s a shame. Turnovers destroy you. If there was one thing we didn’t know before this season, we surely know it now. When you sit there at minus-22 in the giveaway-takeaway area, it’s tough to win football games.”

Reid was so disturbed when he looked at turnover statistics he threw them out on the floor as if to say, “I told you so.”

“I know you guys have done your homework on this,” Reid began. “But when you have 123 points scored on 34 turnovers and you’re only getting 33 points on your 12 turnovers, that’s a bad ratio.”

After the defeat, Reid took responsibility for the turnovers, including four fumbles or muffs. During his presser he shared the responsibility with his players. Hold the ball high and tight to avoid the fumbles. One is too many interceptions.

“We’ve got to do a better job there just making decisions,” Reid said. “We’ll keep working on that.”

* * *Barring a setback, tight end Brent Celek could be back on the field when the Eagles take on the Washington Redskins next weekend.

Reid said Celek passed all of his concussion tests, including the neurological exam.

Running back LeSean McCoy (concussion) isn’t ready but could be after taking the neurological exam Tuesday.

Reid indicated that when McCoy was cleared, he would share the job with rookie Bryce Brown.

“Right now LeSean is not ready to go,” Reid said. “I will play LeSean when he is ready to go. Not that I wouldn’t play the other kid.”

L l lCornerback Brandon Hughes, it turns out, suffered a lung contusion and was sent to the hospital.

Hughes absorbed an illegal blindside block by Daniel Herron covering a punt with 3:31 remaining. The fourth-round pick out of Oregon State exited on his own.

“He got sandwiched out there,” Reid said. “We kept him here for a while. He coughed up blood so we got him to the hospital and they kept him overnight for observation.”

Herron and Emmanuel Lamur, guilty of an illegal blindside block on Eagles linebacker Jamar Chaney, who also was shaken up on the play, both were flagged on the return. The Eagles got a 15-yard penalty.

* * *The temptation is to attribute the improved play of the Eagles’ pass defense on scrapping the wide nine alignment.

The Eagles still use it, only more on passing downs.

Oh, and the Eagles allowed a 100-yard rusher Friday for the second straight game after being the only team in the league that didn’t surrender a 100-yard rushing game to any back.

The difference in pass defense the past two games is Colt Anderson playing safety instead of Kurt Coleman, who could be healthy enough to return next week. Anderson basically has earned a starting spot.

“I think you could say that,” Reid said. “Now, listen, I haven’t sat down and talked with Todd about that but I would tell you that he’s played good football. Good enough to be considered at keeping him in that position.”

NOTESNnamdi Asomugha is among 10 NFL players nominated for the Bart Starr Award honoring outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community. Players vote on the award. The other nominees are Matt Birk (Ravens), Chad Greenway (Vikings), Matt Hasselbeck (Titans), Philip Rivers (Chargers), Josh Scobee (Jaguars), Brad Smith (Bills), Joe Thomas (Browns), Justin Tuck (Giants) and Jason Witten (Cowboys). … In eight career starts, Riley Cooper has 26 receptions for 394 yards and four touchdowns. ... Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox are tied for the Eagles’ lead with 5½ sacks each.